More than A battle

Chapter 4

The light danced off the concrete as Ichigo walked back into his house. He dropped the large box off in his room then left for Orihime's again.
A smile pulled at his lips, *To make sure I'm right before I do anything stupid* he thought . *Ichigo, It's been obvious* Zangetsu said in his rich voice. Memories flashed through Ichigo's head. He still wanted to be a hundred percent, and if he was he wanted to still build their friendship. *This could really turn into something more... * . New thoughts flooded his head, dates,hand holding, long nights,smiles,laughing. A shiny ring in a silk box clutched in his hands. He had to slow down his speed too embarrassed and ahead of himself to keep his balance on the rocky sidewalk.

Orihime was curled up on her floor drinking at a warm coffee. Her vivid imagination not too far from reality. She was daydreaming of a swing on a branch, Ichigo pushing her as she squealed in delight. Her head was so clouded she almost didn't hear the knock . When she went to open the door it wasn't who she thought, it was Yoruichi. Her purple hair tied up in her long ponytail, "Yoruichi-San, please come in." Yoruichi didn't move yet, she spoke instead, "Kisuke would like to speak with you about something important." She finished. Understanding and trusting Yoruichi completely, she nodded and slipped on her shoes leaving the front door unlocked behind her.

Ichigo neared Orihime's door, the smile on his lips tugging down. *Is she still asleep?* he thought. Her reitsu wasn't nearly as strong as it usually is, the warmth felt dull. He looked down at his watch and it read 12:15. *She would most definitely be awake by now.* Anxiety started creep in as he created a tight fist and knocked. Noone answered, his knock became pounding in his worry. The slightly, unlocked door creeked open from the force. He pushed the space larger seeing she was no where in Sight.
The panic really sank in. His reitsu flared wildly, boiling at unbelievable volumes. He could faintly hear his cell phone ringing. Chad or Uryuu of course,maybe even his father. Who wouldn't feel the dense pressure he was radiating. He had nothing but an instant. He left his body slouch on her floor. He was never good at sensing reitsu or even tracking it, but he was desperate. He could hear Zangetsu at his back almost screaming to know what all the commotion was.
But Ichigo didn't listen, in his haste the pressure grew larger, more dark and demented. He recalled everything in fine detail of Orihime in Hueco Mundo. His brain filled the blanks of when he wasn't. Hichigo was flashing horrifying images in his mind. It only made him angry. *You fool, why don't you actually feel.* the new voice said. He almost ignored it, still High speed on shunpo and the murderous reitsu.
He stopped, *Who are you.* the body to the voice appeared in front of him. Cloaked in white, a blue embroidery on the cloak. He looked like Zangetsu yet not like Zangetsu. His  hair wasn't brown but blonde. Blue eyes, stained glass in his face. He didn't introduce himself yet Ichigo felt a wave of some small new power. He recognized him as a Quincy, he knew the stories of his mother. *She's really that big of a part of me* he thought and the unnamed form smiled lightly in front of him. *close your eyes Ichigo, remember how that warmth felt at its strongest peak.* He recalled the spike in Orihime's spiritual pressure and thought only of That. The person chuckled. Ichigo still concentrating felt somthing silk rub his arm. He yanked it, a crimson ribbon tinted with gold.
He only had done this one time previously, and it was never this good.
Too enveloped in his own thoughts he gripped the ribbon and went forward.

Kisuke already lead Orihime down to the training grounds. She was waiting patiently for him to speak. "Inoue-san, the other day I personally felt something. Like it revolves around you. Something more edgy to your reitsu." He looked past his tea and at her quickly, seeing if she'd open up any information she knew for certain.
*Urahara-san is worried about my reitsu?* she thought, digging through her memory. She recalled a feeling, like a hardening in her. Something that made a click decision. The heat rumbled inside of her. Urahara looked curiously at her, *she has to know what she's doing, How can she not feel That. So potent.* His eyes were scanning, remembering. He already was collecting this new, odd reitsu pattern. He knew her Potential, but he wanted to be completely sure so he asked. "Can you recall the day I am referring to?". She looked up then told him Every detail of the small battle Ichigo and herself had. His eyes widened a little at something, he wouldn't let her know, it could be a danger until its completely manifested.
"Well Inoue-san, how about soon we can start training you. If you are interested that is." He already knew she would come, yet he still asked. "It would be my pleasure Uraha-" Immense dark reitsu flooded every inch of breathable air. The building all but quivered. Kisuke knew something like this would happen eventually, he was just shocked it was sooner, than rather when  the conversation was over. He wasn't sure why Ichigo was still so angered. It came plain then, Ichigo knew there was a way into Hueco Mundo from these points.
Orihime stood and walked up the stairs. Ichigo's pressure heavying around the building. There were several incantations put around it so he was suspicious.
  He dropped down to the groud all but to cut down those walls.
He saw her then, perfectly well. Her warmth seeped through the incantations, they held no weight against her. He calmed down, but wasn't calm enough. "Kurosaki-Kun I should have called but I didn't have time,Yoruichi-san needed me." He stopped listening then as his feet carried him forward, *She's fine, nothing is wrong.* he thought. He pulled one hand from his side and touched her cheek. She looked at him heat creeping to the contact. *that blush..* his thoughts still on her.

Orihime felt Ichigo's hand on her face, she looked up to see him almost smiling at her, some unknown emotion in his eyes. She could feel it in his reitsu how worried he was. *he was scared...*. She wanted to apologize, But all too soon long arms were wrapped around her, holding her too tightly, but it felt good. She was in shock but the immediate response to grip her hands into his back was instantaneous.

Ichigo looked down, suprised she was so sure. *I have nothing to worry about*. Orihime clung to him as he did her. "Im sorry I over reacted Inoue". He murmured, loosening his hold a little. She wasn't embarrassed, just happy he was calming down. She looked up from his chest, "It's okay Kurosaki-Kun. You are okay and I am okay." She gave him that smile. His smile. He was still so caught up in the moment Orihime's eyes widening as she watched. Almost reflexively he bent his head down to hers, closing the space between their lips.

Author's Note: Thankyou for reading chapter 4!
The next chapter won't necessarily be what you are thinking, but it's better this way. Enjoy.